How to Prevent Wrinkles: 6 Tips to Limit Skin Aging

What can I do to prevent wrinkles?

1. Protect yourself from the sun
2. Keep sugar and carb consumption in check
3. Get plenty of vitamins
4. Keep your skin hydrated
5. Relax your face
6. Quit smoking — and drinking

 

Aging happens. Inevitably, the many signs of aging, such as wrinkles, will show up at some point. But, there’s a lot that you can do to prevent this from happening too early. 

If you, like so many other adults, are wondering how to prevent wrinkles, then you’ve come to the right place. We have the best tips to help you take matters into your own hands, and keep your skin wrinkle-free for longer!

What Causes Wrinkles?

But first, what causes wrinkles? We know that everyone’s skin ages — it’s why the skin of a toddler and the skin of a 60-year-old look very different. However, what many people don’t know is that the possibility of wrinkles forming is affected by many factors.

The first is genetics, which we have no control over. The other factors include lifestyle habits, exposure to irritants, and even the sun’s rays! So while you can’t control what you’ve inherited from your family, you still have a good deal of control over how your skin ages. Here’s how to make yourself less prone to wrinkles:

Protect yourself from the sun

The sun plays a major role in how our skin ages. While some sunlight is good for you (it’s a natural source of vitamin D), too much exposure will gradually damage your skin. This is because the UV rays from the sun penetrate and destroy the collagen in your skin, resulting in what dermatologists call photodamage. This is the root cause of visible skin damage, including wrinkles.

To protect your skin from the sun every day, look for some kind of UV protection. This can be using sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, or a natural sunscreen that is rich in vitamin E — a great ally against photodamage! This vitamin absorbs UV rays, preventing it from destroying the collagen in your skin. 

Keep sugar and carb consumption in check

The saying “you are what you eat” might seem cliche, but it’s true — especially when it comes to how your skin ages. If you have a sweet tooth or are particularly fond of bread, pasta, and rice, then you have to keep this in check. Sugar and carbs in excess will spike your blood sugar levels. This, in turn, triggers the release of insulin. 

While our body does need insulin, a sudden excess of it will cause inflammation in your skin. This then damages the collagen and fibers that make your skin look supple and youthful. Damage means less support for your skin, so you’ll develop more wrinkles.

Get plenty of vitamins

You could switch out some of the sweets and carbs in your diet for things that are better for your skin — such as vitamins. Certain vitamins, such as vitamin C and E, are incredibly important for your skin’s health. They’re antioxidants that protect your skin from oxidative damage (another common cause of early wrinkles). These vitamins also help your skin produce more elastin, which keeps your skin plump and bouncy.

You can get your fill of these vitamins from a variety of fruits, veggies, and berries. 

Keep your skin hydrated

Keeping hydrated is essential for all aspects of good health. Your body needs to stay hydrated to stay healthy and function well. And, like your body, your skin needs plenty of hydration to stave off wrinkles. So, make sure to drink plenty of water, especially if you lead an active lifestyle or live somewhere warm! 

Another thing you can do to keep your skin hydrated is to lock that hydration in with a moisturizer. This is especially important as you age because your skin tends to dry out easier. So, use a moisturizer — especially one with vitamin C!

Relax your face

Whenever you move your face, you stimulate your facial muscles. If you keep repeating certain expressions, your muscles will eventually create permanent grooves and lines on your skin. 

So try to relax your face and avoid repeated facial movements. Squinting, frowning, pursing your lips, or furrowing your eyebrows can all speed up the formation of wrinkles. Consider the underlying reason for these expressions. If you’re squinting a lot, do you need new glasses? If you’re frowning, are you angry or stressed? Tackle these things so you have an easier time relaxing your face. 

Quit smoking — and drinking

That said, the things you might turn to relax your face (and the rest of your body) may also be damaging to your skin. One popular vice is smoking. Smoking damages the collagen and elastin in your skin, reducing its elasticity and vitality. Nicotine can also restrict blood flow, preventing your skin from getting the oxygen, vitamins, and nutrients it needs. All this results in the risk of more wrinkles. 

Drinking can also cause wrinkles. It dehydrates you and also triggers inflammation — two things that we know can speed up the formation of wrinkles. So, it’s best to reduce (or completely cut out) these two habits from your life. 

Key Takeaway

While you can’t avoid it forever, taking good care of your skin and knowing how to prevent wrinkles can go a long way in keeping your appearance looking youthful for as long as possible.